19.45 27 Jun 2014 -
Referee: Paul Tuite
League Preview: UCD -v- Shamrock Rovers
- Gareth O'Reilly
- Fri, Jun 27 2014
UCD
UCD welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Belfield Bowl on Friday night as the League Of Ireland returns from it's mid season break. Kick off is at 7.45 pm.
Manager Aaron Callaghan will have been happy to have had the break as his UCD outfit hopes to regain some form having suffered some disappointing defeats against Galway and Limerick in recent weeks.
Callaghan has also taken some time over the past two weeks to sign Timmy Molloy from the club's Leinster Senior League side as the College look to reinforce their strike force ahead of the second half of the season.
The Students will still be without long term absentees Dean Clarke and Aymen Ben Mohammed but the two weeks off has allowed all other injury concerns to be cleared up. The treatment room had become rather crowded before the break leading to UCD only being able to name six substitutes for their last two games.
"The break has given us a chance to get a number of players back to full fitness and allow some players who were carrying knocks to rest them. Timmy Molloy has also joined up with the squad after he had a brilliant season with the Leinster Senior League side and he will be a big boost to the squad."
Going into the game Callaghan is under no illusions how difficult a task his side are preparing to face.
"Rovers have had a good start to the season and will be looking to push on over the second half to the season. They are a strong side, but we are hopeful of picking up a good result against them like we did at the start of last season here in the Bowl."
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Trevor Croly's side finished the first half of their campaign two weeks ago by slumping to a disappointing two goal defeat to Cork City.
Croly's side had been going well in the league before their defeat to Cork, a result which ended an eight-game unbeaten run.
The Hoops have a clean slate as far as suspensions are confirmed whilst injury news was not available from the Tallaght based club.
Rovers do not have the best record with UCD over the past few years and will be looking to avenge last season's frustrating 2-0 defeat and 1-1 draw.
Referee: Paul Tuite
MATCH FACTS
The College currently sit in a precarious 11th position although only three points separate them from Derry City in 7th position.
These two sides have played each other on 57 occasions with Shamrock Rovers coming out on top 49.1% of the time.
Rovers have won two, drawn one and lost one of their last four games against the Belfield side.
BETTING
UCD 13/2; Draw 7/2; Shamrock Rovers 4/11
PREDICTION
UCD 1-3 Shamrock Rovers
UCD
Injured: Dean Clarke (Back), Aymen Ben Mohammed (Knee)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Unavailable
Doubtful: Unavailable
Suspended: None
About Gareth O'Reilly
Gareth is the Editor of Extratime.ie. Gareth began as a normal reporter covering games all over Dublin before being asked to help out with behind the scene activities and eventually moving into the role of …